Power ??
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Joined: Mar 2001
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Power ??
Hey guys,
I own a 79' Ford F-150 with a 4.9L 300ci 6. I posted a question before about getting a 460. Well, i'm seeing how much work it is going to take to do the transfer and i'm thinking about getting the 6 rebuilt and doing a little supin' up. Honestly, with the size of my truck, what are some things that will give good pep to the engine and not have me getting 2 miles per gallon. I'm only 17 and am only looking for smart things to do that won't cost over 6 or 700 bucks. thanks
I own a 79' Ford F-150 with a 4.9L 300ci 6. I posted a question before about getting a 460. Well, i'm seeing how much work it is going to take to do the transfer and i'm thinking about getting the 6 rebuilt and doing a little supin' up. Honestly, with the size of my truck, what are some things that will give good pep to the engine and not have me getting 2 miles per gallon. I'm only 17 and am only looking for smart things to do that won't cost over 6 or 700 bucks. thanks
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 6,624
Likes: 8
From: Missouri
Power ??
They do sell some hotter cams for those motors. The stock one has very little duration. This is not a very good motor for to use in a truck you want to make real fast but it will give you tons of torque and good longevity provided it is still in good shape. http://cliffordperformance.com/ has some real good soup up kits for the six cylinders. Your not going to really be able to make the motor scream for 700 bucks but you can get it running with a little more power. Good Luck.
New User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 16
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Power ??
Hay if you are serious about power go with the 460.
I am 18 years old and have swapped a 520 cid motor into my bronco.
The engine came out of a 73 LTD and I purchased a stroker kit and aluminum cobra jet heads from ford motor sports.
You do not have to go that expensive of a route but know that a big block is well worth the money it takes because of the power.
But you also need to think about the weight increase on your front end so think about a lift kit unless you decide to go with many aluminum parts.
If I remember later I will reply with Phone numbers and part numbers that I would recomend for the swap.
But remember research every aspect about the swap.
Don't just take someones word for it.
Good luck with whatever you do!
I am 18 years old and have swapped a 520 cid motor into my bronco.
The engine came out of a 73 LTD and I purchased a stroker kit and aluminum cobra jet heads from ford motor sports.
You do not have to go that expensive of a route but know that a big block is well worth the money it takes because of the power.
But you also need to think about the weight increase on your front end so think about a lift kit unless you decide to go with many aluminum parts.
If I remember later I will reply with Phone numbers and part numbers that I would recomend for the swap.
But remember research every aspect about the swap.
Don't just take someones word for it.
Good luck with whatever you do!
Freshman User
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 33
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Power ??
dude i have a 78 with the same engine. depending on your transmission you should be able to swap a 302 in it with no problem. i am also 17 and trying to do the same. I have found that some local junkyards are great and if you take out the engine and do it yourself it is usually cheaper but it shouldnt be that much more for them to do it for you. Start scavenging the local junkyards or even ebay. Also check out the classifides in your city and also on this web page. they are big help.
joseph
1978 F150
joseph
1978 F150
Elder User
Joined: Aug 1999
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Power ??
You don't have much budget to work with. DON'T swap in a 302 thinkin the V8 is gonna be noticably more powerful (I've done it and am currently driving a stock 79 w/ 302), you'll have to spend money to make that a powerful truck engine too. For low end torque the 302 is at a disadvantage w/ 3" stroke. Your 300 has 4" stroke and is more adept at low end torque. I'd consider the 351Windsor swap although you will probably looking at some pricey expensive custom exhaust work (depending what your emmissions laws are) since you won't find a stock 351W in your year or body type. Also I've found that yards where I'm at are actually charging more for "good" 351W than they are for 390's since Mustang guys want them to go faster. I'd say that the stock 300 you have could be improved by opening up the intake and exhaust. I'd second the suggestion to look to Clifford performance. I've seen Offenhouser 4V manifolds in JC Whitney for the 6. That commonly uses a Holley 390cfm little 4v carb. Newer era 300s such as my Dads 95 have a Dual exhaust manifold for improved exhaust flow. I'm not sure when these dual exhaust manifolds debuted. Just the intake/carb probably spends your budget right there.
BBT
BBT
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Senior User
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: Richmond USA
Power ??
Rebuild the 300-I6, the 302 will disappoint you in the torque
department. That straight SIX produces more bottom-end torque
than the little V8 and thats what you need in a street truck.
The 460 is good only if you need a ton of torque all the time,
and you don't mine stopping at every gas station you come accross.
Also you wil have to ask yourself, can I recover the swapping cost to make it really worth the while.
Dre'
1978 F-150, 460ci(750cfm,Edelbrock Performer,Dynomax Ceramic Coated headers,etc.)Auto-C6,3:70.1 - 9" Posi.
department. That straight SIX produces more bottom-end torque
than the little V8 and thats what you need in a street truck.
The 460 is good only if you need a ton of torque all the time,
and you don't mine stopping at every gas station you come accross.
Also you wil have to ask yourself, can I recover the swapping cost to make it really worth the while.
Dre'
1978 F-150, 460ci(750cfm,Edelbrock Performer,Dynomax Ceramic Coated headers,etc.)Auto-C6,3:70.1 - 9" Posi.
Posting Guru
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 1,899
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From: Cullman Alabama
Power ??
Listen to DRE. (And me)
A long story about Six cyl power. When I was a Kid I helped with a "B-Gas" drag racer. It had a GI Six and when we got done with the machine work it had 321 Cubes, 2" Ford Tracktor Valves and a "Wayne 12 port head" and consumed lots and lots of money.
It was a monster for torque off the line, but ran out of R's pretty fast.
A Two speed (Second and Hi) Packard Transmission was all it needed, or could use. With all that it was still a long time down that quarter.
You just cannot make a Six compete with a V-8 for speed and power. It's like feeding Adrenilin to a Mouse!
However, you can get a very long econicmal lifetime out of a Six!
I've had three of them, and I'm still sorry I sold the 4x4 pickup.
Do this! Keep and Enjoy your Six as a Daily Driver. Pick up another suitable Rod and put the money into that one. Do it one stick at a time, and you'll always have something to drive, and another dream goin in the garage!
A long story about Six cyl power. When I was a Kid I helped with a "B-Gas" drag racer. It had a GI Six and when we got done with the machine work it had 321 Cubes, 2" Ford Tracktor Valves and a "Wayne 12 port head" and consumed lots and lots of money.
It was a monster for torque off the line, but ran out of R's pretty fast.
A Two speed (Second and Hi) Packard Transmission was all it needed, or could use. With all that it was still a long time down that quarter.
You just cannot make a Six compete with a V-8 for speed and power. It's like feeding Adrenilin to a Mouse!
However, you can get a very long econicmal lifetime out of a Six!
I've had three of them, and I'm still sorry I sold the 4x4 pickup.
Do this! Keep and Enjoy your Six as a Daily Driver. Pick up another suitable Rod and put the money into that one. Do it one stick at a time, and you'll always have something to drive, and another dream goin in the garage!
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 180
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From: Powell RIver Canada
Power ??
I have a 351 Cleveland in my Truck. I didn't put it in myself but it bolted right in to the original engine mounts. I'm not sure if the tranny bolted up to it but it is a 4 spd manual and most 6's around that year came with 4 spd manual. Probably has a bigger bell housing but it fit.
Senior User
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 265
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From: Greenville USA
Power ??
I remember reading a Car and Driver test of Ford trucks in the late 80's and they found the 4.9 6 cyl was faster than the 5.0L V8 to 60. Only advantage to V8 was greater towing weight rating. Their recommendation was to get the 6 or 351, the 5.0 was pointless.
thefordmando
70 F-100 Ranger XLT 400 C6
78 F-150 4x4 400 4 on floor
George
thefordmando
70 F-100 Ranger XLT 400 C6
78 F-150 4x4 400 4 on floor
George
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 775
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From: Temperance,MI
Power ??
Im 16, if you want to do a motor change dont go with the 460 unless you dont have to go far to get to work the 460 kill your waulet. I would either rebuild the 300I6, Find a 302 or drop a 400 in it as long as you have a manual tranny if not stay with the small block, which do you have manual or automatic tranny? the M-block swap is what I would go with you can buy a rebuilt running motor for 500 from a guy where I live and he has all the mounts for the swap.
Curtis
77_F150_4x4 aka
"The BeAsT"
85 Bronco II aka
"Baby Beast"
Curtis
77_F150_4x4 aka
"The BeAsT"
85 Bronco II aka
"Baby Beast"
